U.S. patent application number 14/021074 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-03 for screen brightness control for mobile device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Yury LOZOVOY. Invention is credited to Yury LOZOVOY.
Application Number | 20140094224 14/021074 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49117673 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140094224 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LOZOVOY; Yury |
April 3, 2014 |
SCREEN BRIGHTNESS CONTROL FOR MOBILE DEVICE
Abstract
A method, system, and device for controlling screen brightness
of a mobile terminal are disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile
terminal comprises a display unit, a sensing unit, and a controller
configured to maintain a brightness of the display unit at a
reduced level of screen brightness during a non-active state of the
mobile terminal, and restore the brightness of the display unit to
a normal level of screen brightness after a short timeout
subsequent to a detection of an event configured to activate the
mobile terminal via the sensing unit.
Inventors: |
LOZOVOY; Yury; (Saint
Petersburg, RU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LOZOVOY; Yury |
Saint Petersburg |
|
RU |
|
|
Family ID: |
49117673 |
Appl. No.: |
14/021074 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/566 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 52/0258 20130101;
G06F 3/0412 20130101; G09G 2320/08 20130101; H04M 1/22 20130101;
G09G 2320/0626 20130101; G06F 1/3209 20130101; G06F 1/3212
20130101; H04M 1/72597 20130101; G09G 3/3406 20130101; Y02D 30/70
20200801; G09G 2330/021 20130101; H04W 52/027 20130101; Y02D 10/00
20180101; G06F 2203/04102 20130101; H04W 52/0277 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/566 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/32 20060101
G06F001/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 2, 2012 |
RU |
2012141986 |
Claims
1. A mobile terminal, comprising: a display unit; a sensing unit;
and a controller configured to: maintain a brightness of the
display unit at a reduced level of screen brightness during a
non-active state of the mobile terminal; and restore the brightness
of the display unit to a normal level of screen brightness after a
short timeout subsequent to a detection of an event configured to
activate the mobile terminal via the sensing unit.
2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the non-active state is
an idle state or a sleep state.
3. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the event configured to
activate the mobile terminal comprises an incoming call or an
incoming message.
4. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the event configured to
activate the mobile terminal comprises a touch on the display
unit.
5. The mobile terminal of claim 4, wherein the touch on the display
unit is performed to unlock of the mobile terminal.
6. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the short timeout lasts
until at least one module of the mobile terminal becomes fully
operational in response to the event configured to activate the
mobile terminal.
7. The mobile terminal of claim 6, wherein the at least one module
comprises at least one of a wireless local area network (WLAN)
module, a Bluetooth module, a third generation (3G) of mobile
telecommunications technology module, or a long term evolution
(LTE) communications technology module.
8. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the reduced level of
screen brightness is lower in illumination than the normal level of
screen brightness.
9. A method of a mobile terminal, the method comprising:
maintaining a brightness of a display unit of the mobile terminal
at a reduced level of screen brightness during a non-active state
of the mobile terminal; and restoring the brightness of the display
unit to a normal level of screen brightness after a short timeout
subsequent to a detection of an event configured to activate the
mobile terminal via a sensing unit of the mobile terminal.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising reducing the
brightness of the display unit according to a battery level of the
mobile terminal when the battery level of the mobile terminal falls
below a threshold level.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the setting the brightness of
the display unit to the normal level of screen brightness comprises
setting the brightness of the display unit during night time lower
than the brightness of the display unit during day time.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the setting the brightness of
the display unit comprises setting the duration of the short
timeout to last until at least one module of the mobile terminal
becomes fully operational past an initialization state in response
to the event configured to activate the mobile terminal.
13. A method of a mobile terminal, the method comprising:
maintaining a brightness of a display unit of the mobile terminal
at a reduced level of screen brightness during a non-active state
of the mobile terminal; starting a timer for a short timeout in
response to a detection of an event, wherein the brightness of the
display unit of the mobile terminal is controlled to be at a low
level of screen brightness than a normal level of screen brightness
during the short timeout; and setting the brightness of the display
unit to the normal level of screen brightness upon completion of
the short timeout if the event is configured to place the mobile
terminal in an active state, or restoring the brightness of the
display unit to the reduced level of screen brightness if the event
is configured to place the mobile terminal in the non-active
state.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the reduced level of screen
brightness during the non-active state is of a same brightness
level with the low level of screen brightness during the short
timeout.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the reduced level of screen
brightness during the non-active state is lower in brightness than
the low level of screen brightness during the short timeout.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the reduced
level of screen brightness, the low level of screen brightness, or
the normal level of screen bright is set according to a user
input.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the setting the brightness of
the display unit to the normal level of screen brightness is
performed subsequent to the short timeout when the event unlocks a
screen of the mobile terminal and places the mobile terminal in the
active state.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the restoring the brightness of
the display unit to the reduced level of screen brightness is
performed subsequent to the short timeout when the event allows a
user to briefly view content on the display unit without unlocking
a screen of the mobile terminal.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the content on the display unit
comprises a current time, a missed call, or an incoming
message.
20. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein the short timeout
lasts while configuration of at least one module of the mobile
terminal is performed in response to the detection of the event.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(d), this application claims
the benefit of priority from Russian Patent Application No.
2012141986, filed on Oct. 2, 2012, the contents of which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to the field
of electronics, and more particularly to control methods and
systems of mobile devices.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Terminal may comprise a mobile terminal or a stationary
terminal. The mobile terminal may be further divided into a
handheld terminal or vehicle mount terminal. As the features of the
mobile terminal are becoming more diverse, the mobile terminal is
becoming a multimedia player performing various functions, such as
capturing images and video, playing music or media files, playing
games, receiving broadcast programs, and so on. Owing to the
sophistication of the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal is
consuming more power than ever before. One solution to solve this
problem may be provision of a high power battery that can sustain
longer hours. Alternatively, the mobile terminal may be designed or
engineered to consume less amount of power.
[0006] The above references are incorporated by reference herein
where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or
alternative details, features and/or technical background.
SUMMARY
[0007] This summary is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.
.sctn.1.73, requiring a summary of the disclosure briefly
indicating the nature and substance of the disclosure. It is
submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to
interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
[0008] A method, system, and device for controlling screen
brightness of a mobile terminal are disclosed. In one aspect, a
mobile terminal comprises a display unit, a sensing unit, and a
controller configured to maintain a brightness of the display unit
at a reduced level of screen brightness during a non-active state
of the mobile terminal, and restore the brightness of the display
unit to a normal level of screen brightness after a short timeout
subsequent to a detection of an event configured to activate the
mobile terminal via the sensing unit.
[0009] In another aspect, a method of a mobile terminal comprises
maintaining a brightness of a display unit of the mobile terminal
at a reduced level of screen brightness during a non-active state
of the mobile terminal, and restoring the brightness of the display
unit to a normal level of screen brightness after a short timeout
subsequent to a detection of an event configured to activate the
mobile terminal via a sensing unit of the mobile terminal.
[0010] In yet another aspect, a method of a mobile terminal
comprises maintaining a brightness of a display unit of the mobile
terminal at a reduced level of screen brightness during a
non-active state of the mobile terminal. The method also comprises
starting a timer for a short timeout in response to a detection of
an event, wherein the brightness of the display unit of the mobile
terminal is controlled to be at a low level of screen brightness
than a normal level of screen brightness during the short timeout.
The method further comprises setting the brightness of the display
unit to the normal level of screen brightness upon completion of
the short timeout if the event is configured to place the mobile
terminal in an active state, or restoring the brightness of the
display unit to the reduced level of screen brightness if the event
is configured to place the mobile terminal in the non-active
state.
[0011] Other features of the embodiments will be apparent from the
accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that
follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF DRAWINGS
[0012] The embodiments will be described in detail with reference
to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements wherein:
[0013] Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and
not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in
which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary schematic block diagram of a
mobile terminal according to one embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 2A is a front perspective view illustrating an example
of the mobile terminal, and FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view
illustrating the mobile terminal in FIG. 2A, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a process flow chart of an exemplary
method executed by the mobile terminal to control screen
brightness, according to one embodiment.
[0017] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal controlling screen brightness upon receipt of an incoming
call, according to one embodiment.
[0018] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal controlling screen brightness upon receipt of a touch
input, according to one embodiment.
[0019] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal controlling screen brightness upon unlocking of the
screen, according to one embodiment.
[0020] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal controlling screen brightness upon activation of one or
more modules of the mobile terminal, according to one
embodiment.
[0021] FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate another exemplary views of the mobile
terminal controlling screen brightness upon activation of one or
more modules of the mobile terminal, according to one
embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates a process flow chart of another exemplary
method executed by the mobile terminal to control screen
brightness, according to one embodiment.
[0023] FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal controlling screen brightness when viewing time, according
to one embodiment.
[0024] FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal controlling screen brightness when checking missed calls,
according to one embodiment.
[0025] FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal controlling screen brightness when checking missed
incoming messages, according to one embodiment.
[0026] Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent
from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description
that follows. Further, the drawings described herein are for
illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope
of the present disclosure in any way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] A method, device and/or system for controlling screen
brightness of a mobile terminal are disclosed. Hereinafter, the
embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar
elements are designated with the same numeral references regardless
of the numerals in the drawings and their redundant description
will be omitted. A suffix "module" or "unit" used for constituent
elements disclosed in the following description is merely intended
for easy description of the specification, and the suffix itself
does not give any special meaning or function. In describing the
embodiments disclosed herein, moreover, the detailed description
will be omitted when a specific description for publicly known
technologies to which the invention pertains is judged to obscure
the gist of the present invention. Also, it should be noted that
the accompanying drawings are merely illustrated to easily explain
the spirit of the invention, and therefore, they should not be
construed to limit the technological spirit disclosed herein by the
accompanying drawings.
[0028] A mobile terminal disclosed herein may include a portable
phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcast
terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia
player (PMP), a navigation, and the like. However, it would be
easily understood by those skilled in the art that a configuration
according to the following description may be applicable to a
stationary terminal such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, and
the like, excluding constituent elements particularly configured
for mobile purposes.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary schematic block diagram of a
mobile terminal 100 according to one embodiment. The mobile
terminal 100 may include a wireless communication unit 110, an
audio/video (AN) input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing
unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, an interface unit 170,
a controller 180, a power supply unit 190, and the like. However,
the constituent elements as illustrated in FIG. 1 are not
necessarily required, and the mobile terminal may be implemented
with greater or less number of elements than those illustrated
elements.
[0030] Hereinafter, the constituent elements will be described in
sequence. The wireless communication unit 110 typically includes
one or more elements allowing radio communication between the
mobile terminal 100 and a wireless communication system, or
allowing radio communication between radio communication the mobile
terminal 100 and a network in which the mobile terminal 100 is
located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may
include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication
module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short-range
communication module 114, a location information module 115, and
the like.
[0031] The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast
signals and/or broadcast associated information from an external
broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. The
broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and/or a
terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a
server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or
broadcast associated information or a server that receives a
previously generated broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated
information and transmits to the mobile terminal 100. The broadcast
signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal
and a data broadcast signal as well as a broadcast signal in a form
that a data broadcast signal is coupled to the TV or radio
broadcast signal.
[0032] The broadcast associated information may mean information
regarding a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, a broadcast
service provider, and the like. The broadcast associated
information may also be provided through a mobile communication
network, and in this case, the broadcast associated information may
be received by the mobile communication module 112. The broadcast
associated information may exist in various forms. For example, it
may exist in the form of an electronic program guide (EPG) of
digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), electronic service guide
(ESG) of digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), and the
like.
[0033] The broadcast receiving module 111 may receive a broadcast
signal using various types of broadcast systems. In particular, the
broadcast receiving module 111 may receive a digital broadcast
signal using a digital broadcast system such as digital multimedia
broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimedia
broadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), media forward link only (MediaFLO),
digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), integrated services
digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T), and the like. The broadcast
receiving module 111 is, of course, configured to be suitable for
every broadcast system that provides a broadcast signal as well as
the above-mentioned digital broadcast systems.
[0034] The broadcast signal and/or broadcast-associated information
received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored
in the memory 160. The mobile communication module 112 transmits
and/or receives a radio signal to and/or from at least one of a
base station, an external terminal and a server over a mobile
communication network. Here, the radio signal may include a voice
call signal, a video call signal and/or various types of data
according to text and/or multimedia message transmission and/or
reception. The mobile communication module 112 may be configured to
implement a video communication mode and a voice communication
mode. The video communication mode refers to a configuration in
which communication is made while viewing an image of the
counterpart, and the voice communication mode refers to a
configuration in which communication is made without viewing an
image of the counterpart. The mobile communication module 112 may
be configured to transmit or receive at least one of voice or image
data to implement the video communication mode and voice
communication mode.
[0035] The wireless Internet module 113 means a module for
supporting wireless Internet access. The wireless Internet module
113 may be built-in or externally installed to the mobile terminal
100. Here, it may be used a wireless Internet access technique
including a WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi, Wibro (Wireless Broadband),
Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High
Speed Downlink Packet Access), and the like. The short-range
communication module 114 is a module for supporting a short-range
communication. Here, it may be used a short-range communication
technology including Bluetooth, Radio Frequency IDentification
(RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra WideBand (UWB),
ZigBee, and the like. The location information module 115 is a
module for checking or acquiring a location of the mobile terminal,
and there is a GPS module as a representative example.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, the A/V (audio/video) input unit 120
receives an audio or video signal, and the A/V (audio/video) input
unit 120 may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera
121 processes an image frame, such as still picture or video,
obtained by an image sensor in a video phone call or image
capturing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on a
display unit 151. The image frames processed by the camera 121 may
be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to an external device
through the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more cameras
121 may be provided according to the use environment of the mobile
terminal.
[0037] The microphone 122 receives an external audio signal through
a microphone in a phone call mode, a recording mode, a voice
recognition mode, and the like, and processes the audio signal into
electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be converted
and outputted into a format that is transmittable to a mobile
communication base station through the mobile communication module
112 in the phone call mode. The microphone 122 may implement
various types of noise canceling algorithms to cancel noise
generated in a procedure of receiving the external audio signal.
The user input unit 130 may generate input data to control an
operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may be
configured by including a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad
(pressure/capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the
like.
[0038] The sensing unit 140 detects a current status of the mobile
terminal 100 such as an opened or closed state of the mobile
terminal 100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, an orientation
of the mobile terminal 100, and the like, and generates a sensing
signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100.
For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is a slide phone type, it
may sense an opened or closed state of the slide phone.
Furthermore, the sensing unit 140 takes charge of a sensing
function associated with whether or not power is supplied from the
power supply unit 190, or whether or not an external device is
coupled to the interface unit 170. The output unit 150 is
configured to provide an output for audio signal, video signal, or
alarm signal, and the output unit 150 may include the display unit
151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, a haptic module
154, and the like.
[0039] The display unit 151 may display (output) information
processed in the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile
terminal 100 is in a phone call mode, the display unit 151 may
display a User Interface (UI) or a Graphic User Interface (GUI)
associated with a call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video
call mode or image capturing mode, the display unit 151 may display
a captured image and/or received image, a UI or GUI. The display
unit 151 may include at least one of a Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD), a Thin Film Transistor-LCD (TFT-LCD), an Organic Light
Emitting Diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, a
three-dimensional (3D) display, and an e-ink display.
[0040] Some of those displays may be configured with a transparent
or optical transparent type to allow viewing of the exterior
through the display unit, which may be called transparent displays.
An example of the typical transparent displays may include a
transparent LCD (TOLED), and the like. Under this configuration, a
user can view an object positioned at a rear side of a terminal
body through a region occupied by the display unit 151 of the
terminal body. Two or more display units 151 may be implemented
according to a configured aspect of the mobile terminal 100. For
instance, a plurality of the display units 151 may be arranged on
one surface to be spaced apart from or integrated with each other,
or may be arranged on different surfaces.
[0041] When the display unit 151 and a touch sensitive sensor
(hereinafter, referred to as a "touch sensor") have an interlayer
structure (hereinafter, referred to as a "touch screen"), the
display unit 151 may be used as an input device rather than an
output device. The touch sensor may be implemented as a touch film,
a touch sheet, a touch pad, and the like. The touch sensor may be
configured to convert changes of a pressure applied to a specific
part of the display unit 151, or a capacitance occurring from a
specific part of the display unit 151, into electric input signals.
Also, the touch sensor may be configured to sense not only a
touched position and a touched area, but also a touch pressure.
When there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding
signals are transmitted to a touch controller (not shown). The
touch controller processes the received signals, and then transmits
corresponding data to the controller 180. Accordingly, the
controller 180 may sense which region of the display unit 151 has
been touched.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be arranged
at an inner region of the mobile terminal 100 covered by the touch
screen, or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor indicates a
sensor to sense presence or absence of an object approaching to a
surface to be sensed, or an object disposed near a surface to be
sensed, by using an electromagnetic field or infrared rays without
a mechanical contact. The proximity sensor has a longer lifespan
and a more enhanced utility than a contact sensor. The examples of
the proximity sensor may include an optical transmission type
photoelectric sensor, a direct reflective type photoelectric
sensor, a mirror reflective type photoelectric sensor, a
high-frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitance type
proximity sensor, a magnetic type proximity sensor, an infrared
rays proximity sensor, and so on. When the touch screen is
implemented as a capacitance type, proximity of a pointer to the
touch screen is sensed by changes of an electromagnetic field. In
this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be categorized into
a proximity sensor.
[0043] Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of brief
explanation, a status that the pointer is positioned to be
proximate onto the touch screen without contact will be referred to
as `proximity touch`, whereas a status that the pointer
substantially comes in contact with the touch screen will be
referred to as `contact touch`. For the position corresponding to
the proximity touch of the pointer on the touch screen, such
position corresponds to a position where the pointer faces
perpendicular to the touch screen upon the proximity touch of the
pointer. The proximity sensor senses proximity touch, and proximity
touch patterns (e.g., distance, direction, speed, time, position,
moving status, etc.). Information relating to the sensed proximity
touch and the sensed proximity touch patterns may be output onto
the touch screen.
[0044] The audio output module 152 may output audio data received
from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory
160, in a call-receiving mode, a call-placing mode, a recording
mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and so
on. The audio output module 152 may output audio signals relating
to functions performed in the mobile terminal 100, e.g., sound
alarming a call received or a message received, and so on. The
audio output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a
buzzer, and so on.
[0045] The alarm 153 outputs signals notifying occurrence of events
from the mobile terminal 100. The events occurring from the mobile
terminal 100 may include call received, message received, key
signal input, touch input, and so on. The alarm 153 may output not
only video or audio signals, but also other types of signals such
as signals notifying occurrence of events in a vibration manner.
Since the video or audio signals can be output through the display
unit 151 or the audio output unit 152, the display unit 151 and the
audio output module 152 may be categorized into a part of the alarm
153.
[0046] The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects
which a user can feel. A representative example of the tactile
effects generated by the haptic module 154 includes vibration.
Vibration generated by the haptic module 154 may have a
controllable intensity, a controllable pattern, and so on. For
instance, different vibration may be output in a synthesized manner
or in a sequential manner. The haptic module 154 may generate
various tactile effects, including not only vibration, but also
arrangement of pins vertically moving with respect to a skin being
touched, air injection force or air suction force through an
injection hole or a suction hole, touch by a skin surface, presence
or absence of contact with an electrode, effects by stimulus such
as an electrostatic force, reproduction of cold or hot feeling
using a heat absorbing device or a heat emitting device, and the
like. The haptic module 154 may be configured to transmit tactile
effects through a user's direct contact, or a user's muscular sense
using a finger or a hand. The haptic module 154 may be implemented
in two or more in number according to the configuration of the
mobile terminal 100.
[0047] The memory 160 may store a program for processing and
controlling the controller 180. Alternatively, the memory 160 may
temporarily store input/output data (e.g., phonebook data,
messages, audios, still images, videos, and the like). Also, the
memory 160 may store data related to various patterns of vibrations
and sounds outputted upon the touch input on the touch screen. The
memory 160 may be implemented using any type of suitable storage
medium including a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a
multimedia card micro type, a memory card type (e.g., SD or DX
memory), Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory
(SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable
Read-only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-only Memory (PROM),
magnetic memory, magnetic disk, optical disk, and the like. Also,
the mobile terminal 100 may operate a web storage which performs
the storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.
[0048] The interface unit 170 may generally be implemented to
interface the mobile terminal with external devices. The interface
unit 170 may allow a data reception from an external device, a
power delivery to each component in the mobile terminal 100, or a
data transmission from the mobile terminal 100 to an external
device. The interface unit 170 may include, for example,
wired/wireless headset ports, external charger ports,
wired/wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for coupling
devices having an identification module, audio Input/Output (I/O)
ports, video I/O ports, earphone ports, and the like. The
identification module may be configured as a chip for storing
various information required to authenticate an authority to use
the mobile terminal 100, which may include a User Identity Module
(UIM), a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), and the like. Also, the
device having the identification module (hereinafter, referred to
as `identification device`) may be implemented in a type of smart
card. Hence, the identification device can be coupled to the mobile
terminal 100 via a port. Also, the interface unit 170 may serve as
a path for power to be supplied from an external cradle to the
mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to
the external cradle or as a path for transferring various command
signals inputted from the cradle by a user to the mobile terminal
100. Such various command signals or power inputted from the cradle
may operate as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal has
accurately been mounted to the cradle.
[0049] The controller 180 typically controls the overall operations
of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the controller 180
performs the control and processing associated with telephony
calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The
controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for reproducing
multimedia data. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in an
integrated manner within the controller 180 or may be implemented
in a separate manner from the controller 180. Furthermore, the
controller 180 can perform a pattern recognition processing so as
to recognize writing or drawing input on the touch screen as text
or image. Furthermore, the controller 180 may implement a lock
state for limiting the user's control command input to applications
when the state of the mobile terminal satisfies the prescribed
condition. Furthermore, the controller 180 may control a lock
screen displayed in the lock state based on a touch input sensed
over the display unit 151 (hereinafter, referred to as a "touch
screen") in the lock state. The power supply unit 190 receives
external power and internal power under the control of the
controller 180 to provide power required by various components.
[0050] Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a
medium that can be read by a computer or similar device using
software, hardware, or any combination thereof. For hardware
implementation, it may be implemented by using at least one of
application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal
processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs),
programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays
(FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers,
microprocessors, electrical units designed to perform the functions
described herein. In some cases, such embodiments may be
implemented in the controller 180 itself. For software
implementation, the embodiments such as procedures or functions may
be implemented together with separate software modules. The
software modules may perform at least one function or operation
described herein. Software codes can be implemented by a software
application written in any suitable programming language. The
software codes may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the
controller 180. Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure described in FIG. 1, or a
mobile terminal disposed with constituent elements of the mobile
terminal, or the structure of a mobile terminal will be
described.
[0051] FIG. 2A is a front perspective view illustrating an example
of the mobile terminal 100, and FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view
illustrating the mobile terminal 100 in FIG. 2A, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. The mobile terminal 100
disclosed herein is provided with a bar-type terminal body.
However, the present invention is not only limited to this type of
terminal, but also applicable to various structures of terminals
such as slide type, folder type, swivel type, swing type, and the
like, in which two and more bodies are combined with each other in
a relatively movable manner.
[0052] According to the drawing, the terminal body 100
(hereinafter, referred to as a "body") may include a front surface,
a lateral surface, and a rear surface. Furthermore, the body may
include both ends thereof formed along the length direction. The
body 100 includes a case (casing, housing, cover, etc.) forming an
appearance of the terminal. In this embodiment, the case may be
divided into a front surface (hereinafter, referred to as a "front
case") 101 and a rear surface (hereinafter, referred to as a "rear
case") 102. Various electronic components may be incorporated into
a space formed between the front case 101 and rear case 102. At
least one middle case may be additionally disposed between the
front case 101 and the rear case 102. The cases may be formed by
injection-molding a synthetic resin or may be also formed of a
metal material such as stainless steel (STS), titanium (Ti), or the
like.
[0053] A display unit 151, an audio output module 152, a camera
121, a user input unit 130 (130/131, 132), a microphone 122, an
interface 170, and the like may be arranged on the terminal body
100, mainly on the front case 101. The display unit 151 occupies a
most portion of the front case 101. The audio output unit 152 and
the camera 121 are disposed on a region adjacent to one of both
ends of the display unit 151, and the user input unit 131 and the
microphone 122 are disposed on a region adjacent to the other end
thereof. The user interface 132 and the interface 170, and the
like, may be disposed on a lateral surface of the front case 101
and the rear case 102. On the contrary, the microphone 122 may be
disposed at the other end of the body 100.
[0054] The user input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command
for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 100, and may
include a plurality of manipulation units 131, 132. The
manipulation units 131, 132 may be commonly designated as a
manipulating portion, and any method may be employed if it is a
tactile manner allowing the user to perform manipulation with a
tactile feeling. The content inputted by the manipulation units
131, 132 may be set in various ways. For example, the first
manipulation unit 131 may receive a command, such as start, end,
scroll, or the like, and the second manipulation unit 132 may
receive a command, such as controlling a volume level being
outputted from the audio output unit 152, or switching it into a
touch recognition mode of the display unit 151.
[0055] Furthermore, an audio output unit 152' may be additionally
disposed on a rear surface of the terminal body. The audio output
unit 152' together with the audio output unit 152 (refer to FIG.
2A) can implement a stereo function, and it may be also used to
implement a speaker phone mode during a phone call. Furthermore, a
power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal
100 may be mounted on a rear surface of the terminal body. The
power supply unit 190 may be configured so as to be incorporated in
the terminal body, or directly detachable from the outside of the
terminal body. Furthermore, a touch pad 135 for detecting a touch
may be additionally mounted on the rear case 102. The touch pad 135
may be configured in an optical transmission type similarly to the
display unit 151. In this case, if the display unit 151 is
configured to output visual information from both sides of the
display unit 151, then the visual information may be also
recognized through the touch pad 135. The information being
outputted from the both sides thereof may be controlled by the
touch pad 135. In addition, a display may be additionally mounted
on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may be also disposed on
the rear case 102.
[0056] Furthermore, a camera 121' may be additionally mounted on
the rear case 102 of the terminal body. The camera 121' has an
image capturing direction, which is substantially opposite to the
direction of the camera 121 (refer to FIG. 2A), and may have
different pixels from those of the first video input unit 121. For
example, that the camera 121 may preferably have a relatively small
number of pixels enough not to cause a difficulty when the user
captures his or her own face and sends it to the other party during
a video call or the like, and the camera 121' has a relatively
large number of pixels since the user often captures a general
object that is not sent immediately. The cameras 121' may be
provided in the terminal body 100 in a rotatable and popupable
manner. Furthermore, a flash 123 and a mirror 124 may be
additionally disposed adjacent to the camera 121'. The flash 123
illuminates light toward an object when capturing the object with
the camera 121'. The mirror allows the user to look at his or her
own face, or the like, in a reflected way when capturing himself or
herself (in a self-portrait mode) by using the camera 121'.
[0057] A touch pad 135 for detecting a touch may be additionally
mounted on the rear case 102. The touch pad 135 may be configured
in an optical transmission type similarly to the display unit 151.
In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output
visual information from both sides of the display unit 151, then
the visual information may be also recognized through the touch pad
135. The information being outputted from the both sides thereof
may be controlled by the touch pad 135. In addition, a display may
be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen
may be also disposed on the rear case 102. The touch pad 135
operates in a reciprocal relation to the display unit 151 of the
front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed in parallel on a
rear side of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have the
same or a smaller size as or than that of the display unit 151.
[0058] FIG. 3 illustrates a process flow chart of an exemplary
method executed by the mobile terminal 100 to control screen
brightness, according to one embodiment. In operation 302, the
screen brightness of the mobile terminal 100 is maintained at a
reduced level during a non-active state (e.g., an idle state or a
sleep state). In operation 304, the screen brightness of the mobile
terminal 100 is restored to a normal level after a short timeout
subsequent to a detection of an event. For example, the screen
brightness of the mobile terminal 100, which has been at the
reduced level, may increase to the normal level after the short
timeout of three (3) seconds subsequent to a detection of a touch
input applied on to the display unit 151 or the screen of the
mobile terminal 100. It is appreciated that the screen brightness
at the reduced level may illuminate less amount of light than the
screen brightness at the normal level, and thus the screen
brightness at the reduced level may consume less amount of power
than the screen brightness at the normal level. It is also
appreciated that the methods disclosed in FIG. 3 may be implemented
in a form of a machine-readable medium embodying a set of
instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to
perform any of the operations disclosed herein.
[0059] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal 100 controlling screen brightness upon receipt of an
incoming call 404, according to one embodiment. In FIG. 4A, the
mobile terminal 100 is in a sleep state or lock mode, where the
screen brightness of the mobile terminal 100 is maintained at the
lowest level (e.g., pitch dark). In FIG. 4B, upon receipt of the
incoming call 404, the mobile terminal 100 increases the screen
brightness to a level which allows the user to see a lock image 402
of the mobile terminal 100 as well as the identification (ID) of
the incoming call 404.
[0060] In one embodiment, upon the receipt of the incoming call
404, the screen brightness of the mobile terminal 100 is increased
to and maintained at the reduced level. It is appreciated that the
reduced level of screen brightness may be lower in illumination
than the normal level of the screen brightness which may be
maintained during the active state or active mode of the mobile
terminal 100, such as when one or more applications are being
executed.
[0061] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, subsequent to
the receipt of the incoming call 404 and the adjustment of the
screen brightness at the reduced level, there may be a short
timeout, during which the reduced level of the screen brightness is
maintained, before the screen brightness of the mobile terminal 100
is increased to the normal level as the mobile terminal 100 enters
the active state or active mode, as illustrated in FIG. 4D. In one
exemplary implementation, the short timeout may last three (3)
seconds. During the short timeout, the user may have a chance to
view or check the incoming call 404 and proceed to take the
incoming call 404, or to put the mobile terminal 100 back to the
non-active state. Thus, the mobile terminal 100 illustrated in
FIGS. 4A-4D may consume less amount of power than the conventional
mobile terminal since the screen brightness of the conventional
mobile terminal is immediately increased to the normal level upon
detection of an event (e.g., the incoming call 404).
[0062] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal 100 controlling screen brightness upon receipt of a touch
input 504, according to one embodiment. In FIG. 5A, the display
unit 151 of the mobile terminal 100 is in a standby state, where
the screen brightness of the mobile terminal 100 is maintained at
the reduced level. Since some light is illuminated via the display
unit 151 during the standby state, the user may be able to see
icons representing applications 502.
[0063] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 5B and 5C,
subsequent to the receipt of the touch input 504, there may be a
short timeout, during which the reduced level of the screen
brightness is maintained, before the screen brightness of the
mobile terminal 100 is increased to the normal level as the mobile
terminal 100 enters the active state or active mode, as illustrated
in FIG. 5D. It one exemplary implementation, the short timeout may
last three (3) seconds. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100
illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D may consume less amount of power than
the conventional mobile terminal since the screen brightness of the
conventional mobile terminal is immediately increased to the normal
level upon detection of an event (e.g., the touch input 504).
[0064] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal 100 controlling screen brightness upon unlocking of the
screen, according to one embodiment. In FIG. 6A, the mobile
terminal 100 is in the sleep state or lock mode, where the screen
brightness of the mobile terminal 100 is maintained at the lowest
level (e.g., pitch dark). When a main button 602 or a top button
604 of the mobile terminal 100 is pressed using a touch input 606
as in FIG. 6A, the mobile terminal 100 increases the screen
brightness to the reduced level which allows the user to view the
lock image 402 of the mobile terminal 100.
[0065] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 6C, upon
unlocking of the mobile terminal 100, for example through pressing
the lock image 402 using a touch input 608, there may be a short
timeout, during which the reduced level of the screen brightness is
maintained, before the screen brightness of the mobile terminal 100
is increased to the normal level as the mobile terminal 100 enters
the active state or active mode, as illustrated in FIG. 6D. It one
exemplary implementation, the short timeout may last three (3)
seconds. During this time out, the display unit 151 of the mobile
terminal 100 may maintain the screen brightness at the reduced
level, where the user may still be able to see the icons
representing the applications 502 of the mobile terminal 100.
Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100 illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6D may
consume less amount of power than the conventional mobile terminal
since the screen brightness of the mobile terminal is immediately
increased to the normal level upon detection of an event (e.g.,
unlocking of the screen).
[0066] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal 100 controlling screen brightness upon activation of one
or more modules of the mobile terminal 100, according to one
embodiment. In FIG. 7A, the mobile terminal 100 is in the sleep
state or lock mode, where the screen brightness of the mobile
terminal 100 is maintained at the lowest level (e.g., pitch dark).
When the main button 602 or the top button 604 of the mobile
terminal 100 is pressed using a touch input 702 as in FIG. 7A, the
mobile terminal 100 increases the screen brightness to the reduced
level which allows the user to view the lock image 402 of the
mobile terminal 100 as in FIG. 7B.
[0067] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 7B and 7C, when
the mobile terminal 100 is turned on, there may be a short timeout,
during which the reduced level of the screen brightness is
maintained, before the one or more modules of the mobile terminal
100 become activated or complete their initialization and the
screen brightness of the mobile terminal 100 is increased to the
normal level as the mobile terminal 100 enters the active state or
active mode, as illustrated in FIG. 7C. It one exemplary
implementation, the short timeout may last until status icons 704
(e.g., a status icon for a battery level 706, a status icon for
signal strength 708, a status icon for 3G 710 (i.e., a third
generation (3G) of mobile telecommunications technology module), a
status icon for Wi-Fi 712 or other type of WLAN, a status icon for
Bluetooth 714 or other type of PAN, or a long term evolution (LTE)
communications technology module) are displayed to indicate the
modules of the mobile terminal 100 which correspond to the status
icons 704 have completed their initialization and/or are now
active.
[0068] During this time out, the display unit 151 of the mobile
terminal 100 may maintain the screen brightness at the reduced
level, where the user may still be able to see the lock image 402
or any other images on the screen. Accordingly, the mobile terminal
100 illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C may consume less amount of power
than the conventional mobile terminal since the screen brightness
of the conventional mobile terminal is immediately increased to the
normal level upon detection of the event (e.g., the power on of the
mobile terminal 100).
[0069] FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate another exemplary views of the mobile
terminal 100 controlling screen brightness upon activation of one
or more modules of the mobile terminal 100, according to one
embodiment. In FIG. 8A, the mobile terminal 100 is in the sleep
state or lock mode, where the screen brightness of the mobile
terminal 100 is maintained at the lowest level (e.g., pitch dark).
When the main button 602 or the top button 604 of the mobile
terminal 100 is pressed using a touch input 802 as in FIG. 8A, the
mobile terminal 100 increases the screen brightness to the reduced
level which allows the user to view the lock image 402 or any other
images on the display unit 151 of the mobile terminal 100 as in
FIG. 8B.
[0070] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 8B-8D, when the
mobile terminal 100 is turned on, there may be a short timeout,
during which the level of the screen brightness is progressively
increased according to an increase in the number of the modules
which become activated. It one exemplary implementation, the short
timeout may last until all of the status icons 704 are displayed to
indicate the modules of the mobile terminal 100 which corresponds
to the status icons 704 have completed their initialization and/or
are now active as in FIG. 8D. During the short time out, as
illustrated in FIG. 8C, the screen brightness of the mobile
terminal 100 increases from the reduced level as the modules
represented by the status icon for the battery level 706 and the
status icon for the signal strength 708 become fully operational,
where the increased level of the screen brightness is still less
than the normal level of the screen brightness in the illumination
measure and/or power consumption. In one exemplary implementation,
the reduced level of screen brightness, the increased level of
screen brightness, or the normal level of screen bright is set
according to a user input via a user interface.
[0071] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8D, the screen brightness of
the mobile terminal 100 increases to the active level as all of the
modules represented by the status icons 704 become fully
operational. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100 illustrated in
FIGS. 8A-8D may consume less amount of power than the conventional
mobile terminal since the screen brightness of the conventional
mobile terminal is immediately increased to the normal level when
the mobile terminal 100 is turned on.
[0072] FIG. 9 illustrates a process flow chart of another exemplary
method executed by the mobile terminal 100 to control screen
brightness, according to one embodiment. In operation 902, the
operational status of the mobile terminal is determined. If the
mobile terminal 100 is in the active state or active mode, the
screen brightness of the mobile terminal 100 is maintained at the
normal level as in operation 914. However, if the mobile terminal
100 is in the inactive or non-active state or mode, the screen
brightness of the mobile terminal 100 is maintained at the reduced
level of screen brightness as in operation 904. In addition, if an
event (e.g., a touch input, an incoming call, an incoming message,
a power on, etc.) is detected, a timer for a short timeout (e.g.,
two to four seconds) is triggered as in operation 908.
[0073] Once the short timeout tracked by the timer is expired in
operation 910, it is determined whether the event is configured to
turn the mobile terminal 100 into the active state or not in
operation 912. In one exemplary implementation, the active state
event or active mode event may be generated when the mobile
terminal 100 is turned on or when the mobile terminal 100 is
unlocked, whereas the non-active state event or non-active mode
event may be generated by touching the screen to view the time,
check the missed calls, or check the missed messages. It is
appreciated that the active or non-active events may be configured
by the user via a user interface, or a default version of the
classification may be provided. If the event is determined as the
active state event, the screen brightness of the mobile terminal
100 is set to the normal level as in operation 914. However, if the
event is determined as the non-active state event, the screen
brightness of the mobile terminal is maintained at the reduced
level as in operation 904.
[0074] It is appreciated that the methods disclosed in FIG. 9 may
be implemented in a form of a machine-readable medium embodying a
set of instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the
machine to perform any of the operations disclosed herein.
[0075] FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal 100 controlling screen brightness when viewing time 1004,
according to one embodiment. FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate exemplary
views of the mobile terminal 100 controlling screen brightness upon
activation of one or more modules of the mobile terminal 100,
according to one embodiment. In FIG. 10A, the mobile terminal 100
is in the sleep state or lock mode, where the screen brightness of
the mobile terminal 100 is maintained at the lowest level (e.g.,
pitch dark). When the main button 602 or the top button 604 of the
mobile terminal 100 is pressed using a touch input 1002 as in FIG.
10A, the mobile terminal 100 increases the screen brightness to the
reduced level which allows the user to view the lock image 402 of
the mobile terminal 100 as in FIG. 10B.
[0076] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, when the
mobile terminal 100 is turned on, there may be a short timeout,
during which the reduced level of the screen brightness is
maintained and the determination of whether to activate the mobile
terminal 100 or return to the non-active state (e.g., the sleep
state or idle state) is made. It one exemplary implementation, when
the mobile terminal 100 is turned on, the time 1004 and the lock
image 402 may be displayed on the display unit 151. During the
short timeout (e.g., three seconds), if there is no further input
by the user, the mobile terminal 100 may presume that the touch
input 1002 of the user on the main button 602 was to view or check
the time 1004 or that the touch input 1002 was accidental.
Accordingly, upon the expiration of the short timeout, the mobile
terminal 100 is automatically put to the non-active state or mode
as illustrated in FIG. 10C.
[0077] Thus, the mobile terminal FIGS. 10A-10C may consume less
amount of power than the conventional mobile terminal since the
screen brightness of the conventional mobile terminal is
immediately increased to the normal level as soon as the mobile
terminal 100 is turned on. As illustrated in FIGS. 10B, the mobile
terminal 100 is maintained at the reduced level at most for the
duration of the short timeout (e.g., three seconds) subsequent to
the detection of the event (e.g., powering on of the mobile
terminal 100) before the mobile terminal 100 is automatically
turned off as in FIG. 10C.
[0078] FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal 100 controlling screen brightness when checking missed
calls 1104, according to one embodiment. In FIG. 11A, the mobile
terminal 100 is in the sleep state or lock mode, where the screen
brightness of the mobile terminal 100 is maintained at the lowest
level (e.g., pitch dark). Once the main button 602 or the top
button 604 of the mobile terminal 100 is pressed using a touch
input 1102 as in FIG. 11A, the mobile terminal 100 increases the
screen brightness to the reduced level which allows the user to
view the lock image 402 of the mobile terminal 100 as in FIG. 11
B.
[0079] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, once the
mobile terminal 100 is turned on, there may be a short timeout,
during which the reduced level of the screen brightness is
maintained and the determination of whether to activate the mobile
terminal 100 or return to the non-active state (e.g., the sleep
state or idle state) is made. It one exemplary implementation, when
the mobile terminal 100 is turned on, the missed call(s) 1104 and
the lock image 402 may be displayed on the display unit 151. During
the short timeout (e.g., three seconds), if there is no further
input by the user, the mobile terminal 100 may presume that the
touch input 1102 of the user on the main button 602 was just to
view or check the missed call(s) 1104 or that the touch input 1102
was accidental. Accordingly, upon the expiration of the short
timeout, the mobile terminal 100 is automatically put to the
non-active state or mode as illustrated in FIG. 11C.
[0080] Thus, the mobile terminal FIGS. 11A-11C may consume less
amount of power than the conventional mobile terminal since the
screen brightness of the conventional mobile terminal is
immediately increased to the normal level as soon as the mobile
terminal 100 is turned on. As illustrated in FIG. 11B, the mobile
terminal 100 is maintained at the reduced level at most for the
duration of the short timeout (e.g., three seconds) subsequent to
the detection of the event (e.g., powering on of the mobile
terminal 100) before the mobile terminal 100 is turned off as in
FIG. 11C.
[0081] FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate exemplary views of the mobile
terminal 100 controlling screen brightness when checking missed
incoming message(s) 1204, according to one embodiment. In FIG. 12A,
the mobile terminal 100 is in the sleep state or lock mode, where
the screen brightness of the mobile terminal 100 is maintained at
the lowest level (e.g., pitch dark). Once the main button 602 or
the top button 604 of the mobile terminal 100 is pressed using a
touch input 1202 as in FIG. 12A, the mobile terminal 100 increases
the screen brightness to the reduced level which allows the user to
view the lock image 402 of the mobile terminal 100 as in FIG.
12B.
[0082] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 12B, once the
mobile terminal 100 is turned on, there may be a short timeout,
during which the reduced level of the screen brightness is
maintained and the determination of whether to activate the mobile
terminal 100 or return to the non-active state (e.g., the sleep
state or idle state) is made. It one exemplary implementation, when
the mobile terminal 100 is turned on, the missed message(s) 1204
and the lock image 402 may be displayed on the display unit 151.
During the short timeout (e.g., three seconds), if there is no
further input by the user, the mobile terminal 100 may presume that
the touch input 1202 of the user on the main button 602 was just to
view or check the missed message(s) 1204 or that the touch input
1202 was accidental. Accordingly, upon the expiration of the short
timeout, the mobile terminal 100 is automatically put to the
non-active state or mode as illustrated in FIG. 12C.
[0083] Thus, the mobile terminal FIGS. 12A-12C may consume less
amount of power than the conventional mobile terminal where the
screen brightness of the conventional mobile terminal is
immediately increased to the normal level as soon as the mobile
terminal 100 is turned on. As illustrated in FIG. 12B, the mobile
terminal 100 is maintained at the reduced level at most for the
duration of the short timeout (e.g., three seconds) subsequent to
the detection of the event (e.g., powering on of the mobile
terminal 100) before the mobile terminal 100 is turned off as in
FIG. 12C.
[0084] In addition to the embodiments utilizing the short timeout
as illustrated in FIGS. 3-FIG. 12C, the screen brightness of the
display unit 151 may be reduced according to a battery level of the
mobile terminal 100 when the battery level of the mobile terminal
100 falls below a threshold level. Further, the screen brightness
of the display unit 151 during the night time may be set lower than
the brightness of the display unit 151 during day time.
[0085] The various devices, modules, analyzers, generators, etc.
described herein may be enabled and operated using hardware
circuitry (e.g., complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)
based logic circuitry), firmware, software and/or any combination
of hardware, firmware, and/or software (e.g., embodied in a machine
readable medium). Further, the various electrical structure and
methods may be embodied using transistors, logic gates, and/or
electrical circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit
(ASIC)). Although the present embodiments have been described with
reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that
various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments
without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various
embodiments.
[0086] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it
is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the
art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in
connection with other ones of the embodiments.
[0087] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *